Past Roundtable: San Francisco

Agility. Speed. Innoavtion. IT Transformation Requires Collaboration

Companies that want to bolster their agility, speed and innovation with the help of new technologies must forge close collaboration between IT and business groups, a two-way street to success that will separate the leaders from the laggards in today’s hyper-competitive business climate, according to a CIO roundtable produced by the Transform to Better Perform initiative. The roundtable took place at the DCD Converged conference produced by DatacenterDynamics, and was sponsored by Dimension Data-both partners on the Transform to Better Perform initiative along with the Business Performance Innovation (BPI) Network.

Nineteen technology executives met at the invitation-only roundtable to discuss the key findings of a global survey of business leaders. The study found business leaders recognize the need for advanced new datacenter and cloud technologies, but are dissatisfied with the pace of change and innovation in their companies. Both during the two-hour roundtable and in exclusive video interviews afterward, several of the technologists said innovation requires better collaboration across the company.

Learning the Business Language: Defining IT Success

“The IT people need to learn the language of business. The business people need to understand that IT is not just this ‘thing’ you pay for. It’s not a black box that makes magic,” said Dr. Jonathan Koomey, a research fellow at Stanford University who is examining the nexus of IT and energy. He added that business leaders “have to define the parameters of success” in order to transform the IT group from a cost-center to a "cost-reducing profit center."

None of the technology leaders at the roundtable appeared surprised to learn the survey showed business managers are unhappy with the IT staff. Only 14 percent of the survey respondents gave their IT teams a “very high” rating for innovation while 15 percent rated them as "poor."" About 43 percent said IT is transforming well into a valued business partner, but 54 percent said the team was "poor" or just "making progress."

"We need to transform the IT group into a cost-reducing profit center"- Jonathan Koomey

Both the survey participants and the panelists acknowledged that keeping the corporate network running safely and securely remains the top priority. As one technologist noted, "CIOs don't lose their jobs because they're not fast. They lose it because the datacenter went out." But another member of the panel disagreed: "I see a lot of CIOs getting fired because they said 'no' too much, because they don't innovate."

The roundtable members cited several reasons for the low marks in innovation, including the lack of a “common language” between IT and business teams, the complexity of enterprise technology environments and a lack of training so that business leaders can better explain their needs and engineers can be sure to address the right problem.

"An engineering team that knows what the sales person or the marketing person is trying to accomplish is going to have a much better handle on it than [they would get] from a spec sheet," said Byron Ellis, CTO of Spongecell. "They’re problem solvers and they want to solve this problem for a person."

A Crisis in Creativity: Roadblocks to IT Innovation

Some technologists admitted there is a "crisis of creativity" in business today that is thwarting efforts to find innovative technology solutions. In other words, the business managers' complaints about the lack of innovation is not just their perception, it's a reality. "I think it’s real and it’s big," said Tim Chou, a lecturer in IT at Stanford University. "I would claim right now there is almost no innovation occurring in most corporations."

"The crisis in creativity is real. And it's big"- Tim Chou

To reverse that trend, Chou advised companies to create an environment of innovation that invites in bright, young engineers and educates them about the business goals of the company, no matter what the industry. "I think there's ample opportunity for people to seize the moment whether you’re in agriculture, aviation, oil and gas, or whatever," he said.

In the survey, 93 percent of the business leaders said technology has become more important over the past five years. In fact, the field is changing so rapidly that some technology executives at the roundtable admitted they don't know what solutions they'll use as the volume of data continues to soar in the days ahead.

Technologies Seen as Most Transformative

"In the 21st Century, every company is an information technology company," said Koomey. "Many companies don't realize it yet. As more people start to understand the importance of IT to institutional transformation as well as improving efficiency, we’ll see even more attention paid to these technologies."

If you'd like to know more about the roundtable, or about participating in future events, please contact Sally Lopez: slopez@bpinetwork.org.

Resources

Moderator

Bruce TaylorEVPDatacenterDynamics

Bruce Taylor is a career-long science & technology media executive, journalist, conference presenter/producer. His activities are principally related to IT, data center and cloud computing infrastructure. He is currently the Executive Vice President of DatacenterDynamics, the global leader in B2B media, research, training and professional development, conferences & expositions dedicated to IT, data center and cloud infrastructure. He is also the Managing Director of the DatacenterDynamics StackingIT Conference: a new global conference series to serve the rapidly evolving markets for open-source IT, data center and cloud infrastructure. Previously, he served as the Vice President of the Uptime Institute. During his time there, he served as its chief strategist (2005-2008) and founding principal of its Symposium conference and trade expo business line, launched in 2005 to be a thought-leadership forum for data center executives and technical professionals.

Moderator

Lizz MillerSVPCMO Council

Liz Miller leads the BPI Network's sister network, the CMO Council. She is a marketing strategist, thought leadership innovator and tactical leader of company-wide initiatives that build brand value and result in sustainable profitable growth. She is the principal driver and champion of transformational programs—where she has been able to gain executive sponsorship, build internal support at all levels and deliver exceptional results. Miller is an expert in aligning strategy with organizational vision/goals and interpreting the voice of the customer through enhanced customer insight.

In her current role, Miller has a multi-faceted leadership role with three-fold accountability. She leads the daily operations and ongoing development of the CMO Council; oversees the Creative, Web and Interactive team for the agency GlobalFluency; and manages Consumer Marketing Services and Digital Marketing Strategy for the agency, GlobalFluency. She directs the account team in media relations, content development, digital marketing, social media, marketing communications, online development and community/client engagement. She also works directly with key clients and sponsors, developing comprehensive marketing, digital engagement, thought leadership, demand generation and PR campaigns.

Panelist

Dr. Jonathan KoomeyResearch FellowStanford University

Jonathan Koomey is completing this third year as a Research Fellow in the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford University. He is recognized as a researcher, author, lecturer, and entrepreneur whose work spans climate solutions, critical thinking skills, and the energy and environmental effects of information technology. Jonathan's specialties include the costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, technology forecasting, historical costs of nuclear power, renewable power technologies and costs, energy efficiency technologies and costs, and energy policy.

Panelist

Eric WellsVP of Datra Center ServicesStanford University

Eric Wells is the Vice President of Data Center Services at Fidelity Investments, the largest mutual fund company in the United States, the number one provider of workplace retirement savings plans, and a leading online brokerage firm. With over 20 years of experience in global IT strategy & service delivery, Eric also serves as an advisor for Centercore data center solutions. In addition to launching several innovation efforts at Fidelity, Eric helped launch the OpenCompute Foundation Certification & Interoperability project. He is also on the Board of Advisors for SMU's Data Center Systems Engineering graduate program. Eric received his Bachelor of Science degree in Management & Information Systems from Babson College in 1991.

Panelist

Lee PenningCIOCollabworks

Lee joined the Collabworks leadership team in April 2011, where he oversees CollabWorks' Information Technology strategy. He also has the overall responsibility for day-to-day IT operations and customer support for Collabworks. Prior to joining CollabWorks, Lee held the position of Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Photon Dynamics, Inc., where he held the responsibility for the corporate business systems and network infrastructure worldwide. Previously, as CIO of Spectrian, he led the organization toward a virtual company vision that allowed employees to perform their job functions from anywhere in the world.

Lee has also held senior level information technology positions at FCS/New Millennium Technologies, Inc. a Y2K software conversion services company and Nextron Communications, Inc., a web site creation and hosting company. Earlier in his career, Lee worked for Deere & Company holding several positions within its Information Technology organization at both unit and corporate levels. Lee received an MBA from the University of Iowa and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Upper Iowa University.

Panelist

Richard GarrattDirectorNext-Generation Data Centers DiData Americas

Lee joined the Collabworks leadership team in April 2011, where he oversees CollabWorks' Information Technology strategy. He also has the overall responsibility for day-to-day IT operations and customer support for Collabworks. Prior to joining CollabWorks, Lee held the position of Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Photon Dynamics, Inc., where he held the responsibility for the corporate business systems and network infrastructure worldwide. Previously, as CIO of Spectrian, he led the organization toward a virtual company vision that allowed employees to perform their job functions from anywhere in the world.

Lee has also held senior level information technology positions at FCS/New Millennium Technologies, Inc. a Y2K software conversion services company and Nextron Communications, Inc., a web site creation and hosting company. Earlier in his career, Lee worked for Deere & Company holding several positions within its Information Technology organization at both unit and corporate levels. Lee received an MBA from the University of Iowa and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Upper Iowa University.

Panelist

Don BeatyPresidentDBL Associates

Don Beaty founded DLB Associates Consulting Engineers in 1980. The firm is active globally and has provided services for mission critical facilities in over 35 states in the US and throughout the world. DLB’s experience includes over 4GW of critical (IT) power, data center campuses that total over 4,500 acres and thousands of mission critical projects with a combined raised floor (white space) area of over 16 million square feet.

DLB has provided design, commissioning and operations support services for a wide variety of both large and small data center clients, including ten of the largest Google data center campuses worldwide. Don is also very active globally, having presented in 70 cities in 28 unique countries over the past decade. Don is an ASHRAE Fellow, and has served in leadership positions on ASHRAE committees on energy, equipment performance, and data centers. He was the co-founder and first chair of ASHRAE Technical Committee TC 9.9 (Mission Critical Facilities, Technology Spaces and Electronic Equipment) and has been a major contributor to over 10 data center books. He continues to be a major driving force on TC 9.9.

Panelist

Grant Richard manages Global Data Center Engineering, Operations, and Provisioning and Cross Platform Products. These areas provide the firm with their data center, server hardware and operating systems/hypervisor platforms. He has participated in a broad range of technology infrastructure engineering, implementation and management initiatives. Grant was named Technology Fellow in 2010 and Managing Director in 2012. By bringing together the data center, server hardware and operating systems/hypervisor, he provides a platform for greater efficiency and scale by providing holistic engineering and tight integration. Grant is actively involved with the Open Compute Project, volunteering from 2011 until January 2014 as co-chair of the Machine Management Track and a member of the Incaution Committee.

Panelist

Bill is a real estate veteran with nearly 30 years in the industry, 26 of those years at Cushman & Wakefield. He is one of the most experienced mission critical tenant representatives in the country. He helped found the Data Center Advisory (DCA) Group in the mid-nineties and has distinguished himself over the last decade as a leader of technology-reliant national and global corporate accounts/portfolios, including Hewlett-Packard, Symantec, PG&E, and Oracle. In this capacity, Bill’s role encompasses both strategy and execution, and his work has brought him to the shores of four continents. In recognition of his international experience and interests, he was recently appointed to lead the DCA Group’s expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Worldwide, Bill has completed more than 2.7 million square feet of data center transactions and is an expert in negotiating the technical infrastructure and operating rights required for these specialized facilities.

Panelist

Byron EllisCTOSpongecell

When joining Spongecell, Byron Ellis brought an extensive background in statistics, data analysis and cloud computing to his new position. He was most recently the Chief Data Scientist for LivePerson. He has also held various leadership positions with the online ad exchange AdBrite. Mr. Ellis holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Cybernetics from UCLA and a PhD in statistics from Harvard University. Now as the CTO of Spongecell, he specializes in statistical computing, statistical analysis, data mining, high performance algorithms, programming, and visualization techniques.

Panelist

Matt DokaCo-Founder & CTOFiveStars

Matt Doka is the Co-Founder and CTO of FiveStars, a venture-backed startup that built a consumer identity platform that personalizes commerce in the real world by harnessing the power of big data, predictive analytics, and cloud-based marketing automation. Previously, he was a consultant at McKinsey & Co. in New York, where he worked across a wide range of industries, including private equity, telecom, and healthcare, as well as development projects in Uganda in conjunction with Technoserve and the Gates Foundation. He was recently selected to Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Matt holds two degrees, one in Engineering and one in Finance, and a Math minor from the University of Pennsylvania, and is an avid skier and backpacker.

Panelist

Eric ZhouVP of ITEnvivio

Eric Zhou is the VP of Information Technology at Envivio, with expertise in developing strategy and architecture, and building a world-class global IT organization to support extreme growth, acquisitions, and large-scale system implementations. Eric is quite experienced in putting infrastructure and applications in place to support global business. More specifically, he specializes in Cloud Computing strategy and deployment, Mergers/Acquisitions, ERP & CRM implementation and Business Process Improvement, Business and Technology Strategy, Enterprise Infrastructure and System Implementations, Global Data Centers and Networks, and much more.

Panelist

Stuart AppleyCIOShorenstein

Stuart Appley joined Shorenstein in 2007. He is responsible for the long-term strategy, planning, design and management of the company’s information systems, applications, and computing infrastructure. Appley is a frequent speaker on the use of Cloud in the Enterprise, along with sharing best practices for using technology in the Real Estate and Investment Management sectors. He is a member of the Consortium of Information System Executives and the Realcomm Advisory Council, and a board member of the CISE Education Fund. Mr. Appley was also a contributing author on the book CIO Perspectives.

Prior to joining Shorenstein, Appley was the CIO at Walden International, a global venture capital firm, where he had worldwide responsibility for the firm’s technology needs. Additionally, Appley acted as an advisor to Walden International’s portfolio companies, while also participating in the due diligence of Walden’s investments in IT-related companies. Prior to Walden, Appley held senior-level technology and management positions at LGT Asset Management, First Nationwide Bank, and Lomas & Nettleton Information Systems. Appley graduated from California State University, San Diego with a B.S., and from California State University, San Francisco with an M.B.A.

Panelist

Eric AdrianEVP & Director of Critical EnviromentJones Lang LaSalle

For the past 14 years, Eric Adrian has worked at Jones Lang LaSalle. Now, as the director of JLL's Critical Environments Program, he specializes in high performance teams and programs specific to the management of Data Centers and Mission Critical Environments. Previously, he acted as the Senior Vice President at Bank of America, where he was responsible for IT and Real Estate Infrastructure for corporate, wholesale, and retail Data Centers.

Panelist

David LeeDirector, Global Sales & MarketingDCProfessional Development

David Lee has over 30 years of experience in International Sales, Marketing and Business Development in the IT sector. Having worked with clients at FTSE 100, Fortune 500 companies, financial services institutions, educational institutions, government and outsourced organizations, he is widely regarded as being at the top of his profession. With enviable skills in specialist sales, sales leadership, management, and supervision, Lee has used his extensive experience across the specialist IT spectrum to inform decision-makers in businesses, focus on end users, vendors and consultants and drive revenue in each role he has taken on. In his position at DCPro, he has driven the business from inception through to its position as one of the world's leading Data Center training companies. He focuses on training and managing a worldwide sales team, which has in turn led to double-digit revenue growth over the last three years.

Panelist

Kyle ScarmardoHead of Infrastructure Dev OpsFidelity Investments

Prior to working at Fidelity investments, Kyle Scarmardo was involved in assembling and supporting PC systems for both hardware and software. Most of this was in the DOS and Microsoft space, but also involved work with proprietary point of sale terminals. From Administration/Engineering to now acting as the VP of Cloud and Strategic Development, Scarmardo has been loyally committed to working his way up through Fidelity for over 15 years. His current work consists of managing multiple development teams focused on delivering self-service solutions for infrastructure consumption (furthering IaaS), furthering culture change and adoption of Agile and DevOps practices, driving use of open source (consumption and creation), and helping others to grow through mentorship and coaching.

Panelist

Jill Von BergVP of ITCIO Calix

Jill von Berg is the Vice President of Information Technology, with responsibility for all aspects of global IT strategy and operational direction. She has over 25 years of experience in high tech industries and leading multi-national IT organizations. Prior to joining Calix, she was Vice President of Corporate IT at McKesson, and also held management positions at Hewlett Packard. Previously, she directed global IT services for the ABB Group, was Assistant Vice President for technology at ABB Power in Switzerland and held management positions at GE Aircraft Engines in Ohio. She began her career as a gas turbine design engineer with Rolls-Royce in the UK. She holds a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Leicester, England.

Panelist

Alan LurieManaging DirectorCBRE

Alan Lurie is a licensed architect with more than 30 years of experience in design and construction. His primary focus has been on the strategic planning and design of mission critical projects for financial institutions, and he is also well versed in the challenges involved in merger consolidation, retail bank design, corporate space configuration, and operations center design. Lurie has completed assignments involving build-outs for prestigious clients such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan Chase, First Union, Bank of America, AT&T, Duke Energy, Wachovia, First Tennessee Bank, FedEx, and The Department of Health.

Panelist

Timothy ChouLecturerStanford University

Timothy Chou has been a leader in bringing enterprises to the cloud since 1999, when he returned to Oracle to work for Larry Ellison as the President of Oracle On Demand. During his tenure many businesses chose to have their enterprise applications delivered as a cloud service. Since leaving Oracle, he has returned to Stanford University and started the first class on cloud computing. Based on this class he published his second book “Cloud: Seven Clear Business Models.” In addition, he just returned from teaching a ten lecture series on cloud computing at Tsinghua University in China.

Chou has been a visible pioneer in evangelizing this major shift in computing. He has appeared in various publications including Forbes, Business Week, The Economist, and New York Times as well as on CNBC and NPR. He has also been a keynote speaker for business and technology audiences in North America, South America, Asia and Europe. Not content to merely talk about the subject, he has invested in several new cloud service companies. Chou holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He serves as a member of the board of directors of Embarcadero Technologies (NASDAQ:EMBT) as well as the advisory board of Webex. In 2007 he joined the board of directors at Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB).

Panelist

Chris BaughmanVPData Centers, ProjectFrog

Chris Baughman was introduced to construction at a young age, swinging a hammer for a Colorado carpenter. For more than 15 years, Baughman has taken on challenges in internal and external sales, business development, strategic relationships/national accounts and operations strategy development. These experiences have made him an effective influencer who is passionate about operational change in the construction industry. He is driven to push the bar forward by helping companies consistently capitalize on their use of delivery methods and tools by providing them with training, tools and processes necessary for mutual success. In his role leading the data center sector for Project Frog, Baughman is focused on delivering his clients a best-in-class buildout. Utilizing Frog’s innovation throughout the manufacturing and building systems, he brings cost-effective data centers on-board with both speed and precision. Chris earned his B.A. in philosophy from Wheaton College, where he was also an All-American football kicker, and after graduation went on to be an NFL prospect. In 2012, he received his MBA from the Hult International School of Business.